Papua: all about West New Guinea

In the south-western part of the Pacific Ocean, away from the usual tourist routes, lies the island of New Guinea - the second largest island in the world. The eastern half of the island is the independent state of Papua New Guinea. And the western half, known as West New Guinea (also known as Papua, Indonesian New Guinea, or Indonesian Papua), is part of Indonesia.

Untamed jungles, mountain peaks, the unique culture of Papuan tribes that have kept their traditions for centuries - every step on this land of mystery and adventure opens a new chapter in an exciting expedition.

General information

• Where it is located: Melanesia, the south-western part of the Pacific Ocean.
• Area: more than 412 thousand square kilometers.
• Population: 5.6 million.
• Religion: the dominant religion is Christianity, followed by Islam.
• Languages: the official language is Indonesian, but according to different estimates, the number of local languages ranges from 200 to more than 700.
• Major cities: Jayapura, Wamena, Sorong, Manokwari, Merauke, Nabire, Timika.
• Provinces: Papua, Central Papua, Highland Papua, South Papua, South-West Papua, and West Papua. The territory also includes the Biak archipelago and Raja Ampat.

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How to get to West New Guinea

About 40 kilometers from the center of Jayapura is Sentani International Airport. It serves as the main entry point to the Indonesian part of the island and receives flights from Jakarta, as well as other cities, including Wamena, Timika, and Sorong. Flights are operated by Batik Air, Citilink, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, Trigana Air Service, and Wings Air.

As for public transport, Jayapura has fairly comfortable Trans Jayapura buses. In general, the transport infrastructure in the region leaves much to be desired, and passengers can use options such as tuk-tuks, private minivans, buses, or open-back trucks.

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History and culture of Papua

The history and culture of West New Guinea are rich and diverse. They were shaped by geographical isolation, complex tribal societies, colonial history, and modern politics. For thousands of years, this land was inhabited by indigenous tribes with different languages, customs, and ways of life. Later, the region was colonized by the Dutch, and in the 1960s it became part of Indonesia.

Today, more than 300 different tribes live here, including the Dani, Asmat, Biak, Yali, Korowai, and many others. This incredible tribal diversity creates a rich cultural mosaic.

Traditionally, Papuans lived a subsistence lifestyle, relying on hunting, gathering, and small-scale agriculture for survival. Artistic expression is deeply rooted in Papuan culture. Wood carving, painting, and intricate body decoration are all important art forms. The local population highly respects its ancient traditions. For example, although modern clothing and accessories, mobile phones, and ATMs are now available to the people of Papua to some extent, wearing the "koteka", a gourd penis sheath made from dried pumpkin, is still quite common here.

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Holidays and festivals of West New Guinea

Speaking about traditions, it is worth mentioning that in the highlands there was historically a tendency for hostility between neighboring tribes. Today, tribal wars are a thing of the past and mainly serve to attract tourists to the region. Battles and competitions now take place mostly during festivals.

The annual Baliem Valley Festival, also called The Baliem Valley Festival or Festival Lembah Baliem, is a cultural celebration held in the highland region of the same name. During the festival, guests can get an idea of the unique culture of the Dani people, the indigenous inhabitants of the region. A bright event of the festival is the colorful reenactment of a tribal battle.

Photo by Faris Munandar on Pexels

What to do and what to see in Papua

A popular choice among travelers visiting West New Guinea is the city of Jayapura. Among the places worth visiting in the city are:

• Mama Mama Market - a market where Papuan women sell fresh fruit, nuts, and seafood, as well as wood carvings, beads, bags, and hats made by local artisans.
• A 6-floor shopping center with shops, entertainment, and food,
• Base-G Beach with golden sand and clear blue water,
• The green Teletubbies Hills, which offer panoramic views of the surroundings,
• Hamadi souvenir market.

About 20 kilometers from Jayapura, against the backdrop of the Cyclops Mountains, lies the scenic Lake Sentani. It is part of a reserve with rare fish species. In addition, about an hour from Jayapura is Lake Imfote, also known as Love Lake or Danau Love. The lake got its name because of its heart shape.

For more authentic experiences, travelers can go to Highland Papua province, especially to the Baliem Valley, whose main town is Wamena. Interest in this area is increased by the fact that in 1945 the Baliem Valley became the site of an American plane crash. This disaster became the basis for the famous book "Lost in Shangri-La".

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Where to stay in West New Guinea

Most comfortable hotels are concentrated first of all in Jayapura. But there are also good accommodation options in other relatively large cities of the region. For example:

• Mercure Jayapura. An affordable hotel in the city center with a restaurant, bar, and fitness center.
• Pintu Biru Hostel. A budget accommodation option in the town of Wamena with modest but clean rooms, a shared bathroom, and friendly service. The staff can help organize excursions to local tribes.
• Suni Garden Lake Hotel & Resort. In the town of Sentani, a few minutes from the lake of the same name and the airport. Guests have cozy rooms, a pool, a pool bar, indoor and outdoor restaurant options, a gym, a spa center, a music club, and a karaoke room.
• Vega Prime Hotel & Convention. A 5-minute drive from the airport. Offers a spa, fitness center, laundry services, outdoor pool, lounge, and restaurant.
• ASTON Jayapura Hotel and Convention Center. A 4-star hotel with all amenities, including a restaurant with Indonesian and international cuisine, a pool, a gym, and a spa.
• Swiss-Belhotel Sorong 4*. Offers a good menu with an extensive wine list, a gym, and a pool.
• Swiss-Belhotel Merauke. A 4-star hotel located in the city center. Convenient access to most city locations, comfortable rooms, a wide choice of international and local dishes, a fitness center, and spa treatments.

ASTON Jayapura Hotel and Convention Center

Safety tips

For the safest and most interesting trip around Papua, it is recommended that all tourist trips be made with a guide. In addition, you should make sure to have a first-aid kit and consult a doctor about additional vaccinations and medical supplies you should take with you.

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